GlobalSign Blog

15 May 2018

Still on Facebook? Be Careful

When it comes to social networking, especially in this digital yet destructive era, Facebook comes to mind. The growing popularity of digital platforms suggests that it offers something we always wanted, no matter how much we are becoming addicted or affected by such inhuman practices. Within a single click, you get to know what your best friend is doing in LA, what your long-lost cousin wore to last New Year’s Eve, and what 556 other assorted friends, acquaintances, relatives are doing in their lives.

Being an avid user of Facebook and a part of the community of more than 2.13 billion monthly users, it’s quite impossible for me to have a life without these platforms. For me, it’s more like a talking-out-loud platform than a community-building phenomena. Even I would instead call it my DNA. Be it friends, likes, dislikes, contact details, relationship status, address, visited localities, and everything else that differentiates me from another human, you can get it from my Facebook profile. Reading my profile is equivalent to entering into my room; it has everything for you to know me. Social platforms connect us to the world in seconds, but also give strangers an invitation to invade in our privacy.

What if an app developer on Facebook shares the data of half of the users - no matter how many privacy filters you have applied on your account - with a data mining firm just to fulfill some baseless political agendas? The point where I am taking you to is the latest controversy Facebook is facing. Let’s look at the matter carefully.

In case you’ve been living a rock, Facebook recently acknowledged users’ data had leaked through a third-party app that sold the data to Cambridge Analytica, a UK-based company helping politicians to target voters with specific messages, using data from data mining and analysis. In response, privacy advocates are looking to Facebook, and other social media platforms, to strengthen their policies, handle users’ data responsibly, and restrict improper access to data.

Do you know what Cambridge Analytica does and why Facebook is in hot water?

No? Ok, let’s hear it from me...

Facebook’s troubles started in 2015 when they learned an app developer, Aleksandr Kogan, had violated their Platform Policies. The app, “This is Your Digital Life”, requested and collected user data under the guise of being used for psychology research, but in reality, it was leaking data to Cambridge Analytica, a UK-based company helping politicians to target voters with customized messages. It was this passing of information along to a third-party that violated Facebook’s policies.

An estimated 270,000 Facebook users downloaded the troubling app, allowing Kogan to access their data, including where they lived and what they’ve “liked”. Making matters worse is the app also had access to the users’ friends’ data, bringing the total number of affected users up to 50 million.

How Facebook Responded

When the company learned of the issue back in 2015, they removed the app from Facebook and demanded that all affiliated data be destroyed. Mark Zuckerberg defended the company’s stance, saying that the data was taken with users’ consent via a third-party app - Kogan requested the access directly from the users, and everyone gave their consent.

I believe Facebook on this stance is quite justified, and I feel it’s more like a trust breach rather than a security breach. Facebook also hired independent forensic auditors to investigate the matter and realized that the maximum number of affected accounts was actually over 87 million, even higher than initially thought. In light of this incident, Facebook banned Cambridge Analytica/SCL (the parent company) and Kogan.

Despite the apologies and the steps taken to have the data deleted, Facebook is still facing backlash, including politicians pushing Facebook to alter their privacy policies to protect users’ data.

I understand the need for some apps to have access to user data and to share it with advertisers or other developers for intended purposes, but I believe Facebook should also have clear data-sharing policies with their third-party app developers. Being a Facebook user, I need to trust the platform that my data remains secure and private, no matter what.

I also have to wonder how such a blunder, allowing an app to improperly share such a massive amount of user data, could occur and what Facebook can do to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Facebook is unlucky as the incident comes at a time when our data is on almost every other social media platform - my lifestyle, birth date, photos, likes, dislikes and even my political affiliations, is all available in the cyberspace, regardless of my Facebook usage. But, still, this Facebook controversy will create lasting impacts in the social media industry as a whole in the context of privacy.

Regulations on Facebook

Facebook has clear policies for third-party developers to provide a publicly available policy to explain the data collection and how they will use their data. The ground rule is to take the users’ consent before accessing any information.

However, the Cambridge Analytica malpractice shows that any third-party app developers, like Kogan, can easily play with the users by showing misleading intentions behind collecting data. As a result, people around the world are raising questions about Facebook’s data protection policies. Now Facebook needs to be more concerned about how data is used, but it’s near-to-impossible to find and control the actual data route.

One more issue with the company’s privacy policy is the automatic sharing of users’ data – with all the apps we’re interacting with. This issue can be solved manually by customizing what to share and what not to share in the app settings. To counter the concerns created by the recent incident, Facebook has created some new user guides, including one that tells you if your information was shared with Cambridge Analytica and another that outlines how Facebook is preventing platform abuse.

What to Do? Should I Deactivate My Facebook Account?

Before proceeding to the final answer, consider these other stats about Facebook and security. The most recent incident isn’t the first, and likely won’t be the last, time users have had reasons to question their security and privacy on the platform.

I am still not sure to respond Yes or No to the deactivation question. It really depends on what exactly you want. You want privacy and security and wish to remain anonymous in today’s increasingly connected world, or do you want to be socially active?

For the most privacy-minded people, you may want to deactivate your Facebook account, as the concept of 100% privacy and security on Facebook is just an illusion. The doors to your information are always open to all the developers you’re connected with.

I would imagine the majority of people may not be willing to part with the social aspect of Facebook though (how else will you keep up with your old classmates or long lost relatives?), in which case, I’d advise you to be careful while clicking yes on all the accessibility pop-ups we receive from third-party apps and to be conscious of what information you share. To be honest, we are also to be blamed here for allowing every other app to access whatever the app developer asks for, without even reading the notifications.

My point is, don’t think you necessarily have to deactivate in light of this most recent incident, but if you’re going to stay active, be aware of which apps you connect to and what types of information they are asking for.

About the Author

Junaid Hussain is a tech fancier who strongly believes that technology makes the modern world smarter. He’s a workaholic individual who never settles for anything less than great. Junaid is currently working for ReviewsDir to develop strong community for tech lovers. His passion is work-work-work-and-party – and to wander with his friends.

ReviewsDir

ReviewsDir is a fast-growing, consumer-focused technology products review platform. Our directory includes reviews of products, softwares, SaaS and everything in between. We make all the efforts of reviewing, analyzing and listing the best technology products so that you don’t have to spend all your day searching and reviewing various elements. Our core objective is to save you the hassle and help you find the most appropriate tech service for your needs. From saving money to choosing the best products for you, organization and your family, ReviewsDir is your ultimate source on the web when it comes to anything tech.

Note: This blog article was written by a guest contributor for the purpose of offering a wider variety of content for our readers. The opinions expressed in this guest author article are solely those of the contributor and do not necessarily reflect those of GlobalSign

GlobalSign respects your right to privacy. This privacy policy has been developed to inform you about the privacy practices followed by GlobalSign in connection with its websites, products and services. This privacy policy does not apply to GlobalSign services offered by or through our partners, resellers or other third parties, or other third party services or websites, and we encourage you to read the privacy policies of those parties.

This privacy policy will inform you about what data is collected, how we use such data, where data is processed, how you may opt out of your data being used, the security provisions around storing your data and how to correct, update or delete your data.

1. Data Controller

The data controller for personal data collected within the EU is GMO GlobalSign, Ltd., having its registered offices at Springfield House, Sandling Road, Maidstone, Kent, ME14 2LP, United Kingdom. All questions or requests regarding the processing of data may be addressed to: dpo@globalsign.com.

2. Collection of Personal Information

We collect information from you when you (i) place an order for a GlobalSign digital certificate product or other product or service, (ii) scan your servers for digital certificates using our Certificate Inventory Tool (CIT), (iii) apply for access to our managed service platforms, (iv) subscribe to our newsletter, (v) use our online chat service, (vi) download a white paper, (vii) register for a webinar, (viii) respond to a survey, (ix) fill out a form for pre/post sales assistance, (x) open a support ticket, or (xi) your use of social media.

GlobalSign is a Certification Authority and trusted third party. To fulfill requests for digital certificates or other products or services, you may be asked to enter your name, email address, physical address, phone number, credit card information and/or organizational details or other personal information.

- Relationship information that helps us do business with you, such as the types of products and services that may interest you, contact and product preferences, languages, marketing preferences and demographic data.

- Transactional information about how you interact with us, including purchases, inquiries, customer account information, billing and credit card information, organizational details, transaction and correspondence history, and information about how you use and interact with our website.

We may develop and acquire additional information about you using third-party (public and private) data sources such as third party databases and government agencies, as well as your browsing and purchasing history in order to process orders for certificates and to improve our services.

GlobalSign treats personal information as confidential, except for the information included in an issued digital certificate. Such information may be verified using third party commercial and government resources, and as such, is deemed to be public information.

3. Purpose of Processing

Your personal data will be used for the purposes specified below:

3.1 To process applications for GlobalSign products and services

Your information is used to provide our products and services and order processing as well as to conduct business transactions such as billing.

The email address you provide for order processing may be used to send you renewal notices for your expiring digital certificate.

3.4 To send service updates

In addition, subject to your consent where required, we may send you new service updates, security updates, related product or service information, and status updates on maintenance windows or service availability.

3.5 To tell you about our products and services

Subject to your consent where required, we may send you periodic company newsletters, information about our products and services that may be of interest to you based on your use of other GlobalSign products and services, your attendance at GlobalSign sponsored marketing events such as webinars, your requests for information about similar products and services, or your sharing of data with social media sites such as LinkedIn or Facebook.

4. Legal Basis for Processing Personal Data

We will process your data for the purpose of performance of our contract with you or the legitimate interest of GlobalSign, which are our usual business activities. In other cases, we will request your consent for the processing of the personal data you may submit.

Your refusal to provide personal data to us for certain products and services may hinder us from fulfilling your order for those products or services. Also, if you deny or withdraw your consent to use personal data or opt out of receiving information about GlobalSign products and services this may result in you not being made aware of renewal notices, periodic company newsletters, new service updates, security updates, related product or service information, and status updates on maintenance windows or service availability. See Section 10 below for how to withdraw your consent.

5. Use of Cookies and web beacons

The GlobalSign Certificate Center (GCC) uses cookies to enable the fulfillment of services. Cookies may be used when you log into the GCC, purchase products or use certain GCC functions.

In addition, like most online businesses, GlobalSign uses cookies and web beacons on our websites and through marketing related emails to gather and analyze some personal data such as the visitor's IP address, browser type, ISP, referring page, operating system, date/time and basic geographical information.

We use cookies and web beacons to compile aggregate data about site traffic and site interaction so that we can gauge the effectiveness of our communications and offer better site experiences and tools in the future. We may contract with third-party service providers to assist us in better understanding our site visitors. These service providers are not permitted to use the information collected on our behalf except to help us conduct and improve our business.

First time visitors may choose to not have any activity monitoring cookies set in their browser. We use an opt-out identification cookie to tag these users as having made this decision. Those cookies that pertain to site performance, experience improvement and marketing are programmed not to execute when an opt-out cookie is present in a visitor's browser. Opt-out cookies persist until a visitor clears their browser cookies, or until their expiration one year after the set date. A visitor is required to opt out again after one year in order to disable any activity monitoring cookies.

6. Use of application logs for diagnostics or to gather statistical information

Our servers automatically record information ("Application Log Data") created by your use of our services. Application Log Data may include information such as your IP address, browser type, operating system, the referring web page, pages visited, location, your mobile carrier, device and application IDs, search terms, and cookie information. We use this information to diagnose and improve our services. Except as stated in section 8 (Data Retention), we will either delete the Application Log Data or remove any account identifiers, such as your username, full IP address, or email address, after 12 months.

7. Sharing of Information and Transfers of Data

We do not sell or trade your personal information to outside parties.

Within GlobalSign: GlobalSign is a global organization with business processes and technical systems in various countries. As such, we may share information about you within our group company and transfer it to countries in the world where we do business in connection with the uses identified in section 3 above and in accordance with this Privacy Policy. In cases where your personal data is transferred to countries that do not provide an adequate level of protection according to the European Commission ('adequacy decision'), we ensure your data is protected by entering into agreements containing standard contractual clauses approved by the European Commission with each of our group companies. A copy of these agreements may be obtained by contacting us as outlined in section 15 below.

Third Parties: We may also transfer your personal data to trusted third parties and our partners in order to serve purposes that are specified in section 3 above. GlobalSign uses a third party to process credit card payments and provides credit card numbers and identifying financial data directly to the third party credit card processor.

In circumstances where data is shared with such third parties, they are required to comply with confidentiality terms included in our data processing agreements. This prohibits such third parties from selling, trading, using, marketing or otherwise distributing GlobalSign customer data.

As Required by Law: We may also release your information when we believe release is appropriate to comply with the law or protect our rights, property, or safety.

It is our policy to notify customers of requests for their data from law enforcement unless we are prohibited from doing so by statute or court order. Law enforcement officials who believe that notification would jeopardize an investigation should obtain an appropriate court order or other process that specifically precludes member notification, such as an order issued pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §2705(b).

Mergers & Acquisitions: We may also disclose your personal information to third parties who may take over the operation of our site or who may purchase any or all of our assets, including your personal information. We will contact you using the details you provide if there is any change in the person controlling your information.

8. International Transfers

The third parties, subsidiaries and affiliates to which your personal information can be disclosed may be located throughout the world. Therefore, information may be sent to countries having different privacy protection standards than your country of residence. In such cases, we take measures to ensure that your personal information receives an adequate level of protection, which includes the EU Standard Contractual Clauses to protect your personal information.

9. Data retention

The personal information we collect is retained for no longer than necessary to fulfil the stated purposes in section 2 above or for a period specifically required by law or regulation that GlobalSign is obligated to follow.

To meet public CA audit requirements as detailed in the GlobalSign Certification Practice Statement, personal data used to fulfill verification of certain types of digital certificate applications will be retained for a minimum of 10 years depending on the class of product or service and may be retained in either a physical or electronic format. Please refer to the GlobalSign Certification Practice Statement for full details.

After the retention period is over, GlobalSign securely disposes or anonymizes your personal information in order to prevent loss, theft, misuse, or unauthorized access.

10. Opting out; withdrawing consent

If at any time you would like to unsubscribe from receiving future emails, we include unsubscribe instructions at the bottom of each email.

Renewal notices may be cancelled on a per digital certificate basis by logging into your GlobalSign Certificate Center (GCC) account and disabling renewal notices.

Email preferences for CIT related/collected information can be updated and changed within CIT.

You are responsible for providing GlobalSign with true, accurate, current and complete personal information. Also, you are responsible to maintain and promptly update the information to keep it true, accurate, current and complete.

You have the right to access and modify your personal data stored on GlobalSign systems. You can exercise your rights by contacting us in writing. We will require you to provide identification in order to verify the authenticity as the data subject. We will make reasonable efforts to respond to and process your request as required by law.

To the extent of applicable law, you may have the right to request erasure of your personal information, restriction of processing as it applies to you, object to processing and the right to data portability. You may also have the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority.

If you provide any information that is untrue, inaccurate, not current or incomplete, or if we have reasonable grounds to suspect that such information is untrue, inaccurate, not current or incomplete, we have the right to suspend or terminate your account and refuse any and all current or future services.

12. How we protect your information

We implement a variety of security measures to maintain the safety of your personal information when you place an order or enter, submit, or access your personal information. All supplied sensitive/credit information is transmitted via Secure Socket Layer (SSL).

After a transaction, your transaction-related information will be kept on file to meet audit requirements and facilitate renewals. We do not retain any credit card details.

13. Relevant laws

GlobalSign commits itself to protect the personal information submitted by applicants and subscribers for its public certification services. GlobalSign declares to fully respect all rights established and laid out in European Union and Member States' laws and regulations:

- European Directive 95/46 on the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data and as replaced by Regulation EU 2016/679 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data (the EU General Data Protection Regulation); and

- Provisions of the GlobalSign CPS.

14. Changes to our Privacy Policy

If we make material changes to our privacy policy, we will inform customers by emailing a notice of the availability of a new version with a link to the new version.

15. Contact Us

If you have any inquires, or questions regarding our privacy policy, please contact us at:

We use the data you submit only for purposes identified in section 3 of this privacy policy.

You have the right to review your personal data that GlobalSign holds and check it for accuracy.

You have the right to correct data in the case that errors may be found in our records.

You have the right to request that any of your personal data be erased. i.e. right to be forgotten.

You have the right to obtain and reuse use your personal data for your own purposes

You have the right to request that GlobalSign restrict the processing of your personal data under certain circumstances.

You have the right to object to our processing of your personal data.

14. Changes to our Privacy Policy

If we make material changes to our privacy policy, we will inform customers by emailing a notice of the availability of a new version with a link to the new version.

15. Contact Us

If you have any inquires, or questions regarding our privacy policy, please contact us at:

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GlobalSign is the leading provider of trusted identity and security solutions enabling businesses, large enterprises, cloud service providers and IoT innovators around the world to secure online communications, manage millions of verified digital identities and automate authentication and encryption. Its high-scale Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) and identity solutions support the billions of services, devices, people and things comprising the Internet of Everything (IoE).